Central & East Region is delighted to announce the appointment of Squadron Leader Nicholas Gensler as Regional Aviation Officer. Nick joins us from Trent Wing where he is currently Wing Sector Commander for Derbyshire.
Sqn Ldr Gensler joined 644 Volunteer Gliding Squadron (VGS) at RAF Syerston in 2009 as a Civilian Gliding Instructor. He remained with air cadet gliding until 2017 also serving with 642 VGS at RAF Linton on Ouse, qualifying on both Grob Vigilant and Viking aircraft and reaching B1 instructor level. In 2017 he left the VGS to become a staff pilot with 7 Air Experience Flight at RAF Cranwell delivering the Air Experience Flight syllabus on the Grob Tutor T1 aircraft.
In parallel to his gliding and flying roles within the ACO he has been involved at local squadron level as an officer with 1803 (Hucknall) Squadron since 2012, taking over as Officer Commanding in 2014. In 2016 he joined the Trent Wing staff and was promoted to Squadron Leader, where he looked after seven Squadrons as Wing Sector Commander. He has also been involved with the National Aerospace, now Air and Space, camp at RAF Syerston making sure we put the “Air” in Air Cadets. He has also helped develop and deliver the Regional Aerospace courses for Central & East Region.
Outside of the RAFAC Nick is a keen civilian pilot, having first acquired a pilot’s licence over 35 years ago. He enjoys maintaining and flying vintage and classic aircraft. In his scarce spare time away from the world of aeroplanes he enjoys hill walking and also getting out in his garden.
Sqn Ldr Gensler said “I am really excited to take on the role of Regional Aviation Officer. I am passionate about the world of aviation and aircraft and come into this with a wealth of experience from the service and civilian worlds. I want to bring to life how great and fulfilling aviation can be in the Air Cadets, as a career or as a hobby and to help our cadets and CFAV achieve their hopes and potential with aviation.”